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The Tomten and the Fox (2019) movie poster

Timeline

The Tomten and the Fox (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 9 mins · Norwegian
Directed by
Are Austenes, Yaprak Morali
Starring
Dennis Storhøi

It’s Christmas time. The fox is starving and tries to kill the chickens in the henhouse. Animated short based on a book by Astrid Lindgren.

Animation Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (4)
  1. 1 Events in order (13)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Every angle

13 events in order · contains spoilers

The Tomten and the Fox Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Tomten and the Fox (2019) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Mickel roams the snowy forest on Christmas Eve

    On Christmas Eve, the hungry fox Mickel wanders through the snowy forest in search of food. He moves slowly with his senses on high alert, driven by hunger. He spots two mice, and his attempt to catch them ends in a clumsy, unsuccessful snap.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Snowy forest

  2. Mickel eyes two mice and fails to catch them

    Further along, Mickel stalks the two mice among the white pines, but they dart away and escape. He tries again, yet the little prey outpaces him and leaves the fox frustrated. The forest remains hushed under the snow.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Snowy forest

  3. Mickel discovers a distant farm

    Mickel discovers a distant farm, its warm glow cutting through the cold. The scent of Christmas treats drifts out, tempting but out of reach. He lingers at the edge, weighing the risk of trespassing for a bite.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farm

  4. Glimpsing Christmas candy through a farmhouse window

    He glances through a farmhouse window and sees a living room bright with holiday goodies, including Christmas candy. He longs to slip inside, but the door is firmly shut against him. Hunger gnaws as he pushes to find another way in.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farmhouse window

  5. Approaching the open chicken coop

    The chicken coop door is ajar, tempting Mickel with a meal he cannot easily resist. He edges closer to the coop, thinking to seize a chicken. His plan is interrupted when a presence suddenly appears.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farmyard, chicken coop

  6. Dragged outside by the Nisse

    Outside the coop, the Nisse drags him away, scolding the fox for trying to steal. The Nisse explains that he is the guardian of the chickens and Mickel must not take what isn't his.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farmyard outside coop

  7. Nisse explains duties and warns

    The Nisse emphasizes his duty to protect the poultry and warns Mickel to respect the farm's rules. He reminds the fox that hunger is no justification for stealing, and that he will watch over the chickens.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farmyard

  8. Porrridge left on the doorstep

    A girl places a plate of Christmas porridge on the doorstep for the Nisse, a gesture of hospitality. The plate signals a quiet moment of sharing between humans and magical caretakers.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farm doorstep

  9. Nisse offers to share porridge with Mickel

    The Nisse offers to share the porridge with Mickel and to make this a winter-night ritual, recognizing the fox's hunger. Mickel agrees and nods, touched by the kindness.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farm doorstep

  10. Mickel eats the porridge

    Mickel accepts the offer and eats the porridge, savoring warmth and nourishment as relief from his hunger. The porridge brings a moment of comfort in the cold night.

    When
    Christmas Eve, evening
    Where
    Farm doorstep

  11. Return journey toward the forest

    On the return trip to the forest, Mickel passes the two mice again, the encounter now tempered by the fox's earlier act.

    When
    Return trip, night
    Where
    Path between farm and forest

  12. Mickel makes a quiet gesture to the mice

    The mice look scared, but Mickel softens and nudges a pine cone back toward them, smiling kindly. He offers no chase this time, choosing a small act of kindness instead.

    When
    Return trip, night
    Where
    Edge of forest / path

  13. Mickel continues his walk back to the forest

    He resumes his walk back into the forest, the Christmas night quiet around him and a memory of porridge warming his belly. The night ends with a quiet sense of contentment as he continues his journey.

    When
    Return trip, night
    Where
    Forest path

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:23

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Timeline questions answered

The Tomten and the Fox Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Tomten and the Fox (2019): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does the Nisse share porridge with the fox instead of chasing him away?

The Nisse understands that Mickel is desperate with hunger and chooses compassion over punishment. Rather than simply driving the fox off, he offers a practical solution that addresses the fox's real need while maintaining his duty to protect the chickens. This act of sharing the Christmas porridge represents the story's central message that kindness can resolve conflict without violence.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the Nisse watches the fox with understanding rather than anger, hinting at his willingness to find a peaceful resolution.

  • nisse
  • tomte
  • porridge
  • fox
  • christmas
  • kindness
  • sharing
Q2

Why does Mickel show kindness to the mice at the end of the story?

After experiencing the Nisse's generosity and being treated with compassion despite his attempt to steal, Mickel internalizes this act of kindness. The porridge not only fills his belly but also softens his heart. When he encounters the mice again, he chooses not to hunt them, instead placing a pine cone near them as a gesture of goodwill. This moment shows how kindness has transformed his behavior.

Foreshadowing: The Nisse's decision to share rather than fight plants the first seed of mercy in Mickel's heart.

  • mickel
  • fox
  • mice
  • kindness
  • transformation
  • forest
Q3

What is a Nisse or Tomte in Scandinavian folklore?

A Nisse (Norwegian-Danish) or Tomte (Swedish) is a traditional farm guardian spirit in Scandinavian folklore. These supernatural beings are believed to protect the home, farm, and livestock from harm. In this story, the Nisse fulfills this protective role by guarding the chickens, but he also demonstrates the caring, generous aspect of these folklore figures by helping a hungry creature in need.

  • nisse
  • tomte
  • scandinavian folklore
  • guardian
  • farm
  • tradition
Q4

Why is the fox trying to steal chickens on Christmas Eve?

Mickel has been unable to catch any food in the snowy forest. He fails to catch two mice and is starving. Desperate to survive, he ventures toward the farm hoping to catch a chicken from the coop. Christmas Eve makes his hunger even more acute as he sees the warmth and abundance inside the farmhouse, intensifying his desperation.

Foreshadowing: The fox's failed attempts to catch the mice early in the story establish his desperate hunger and set up his decision to risk the farm.

  • mickel
  • fox
  • hunger
  • chickens
  • christmas eve
  • hunting
Q5

What is the significance of the Christmas porridge left for the Nisse?

In Scandinavian tradition, leaving a plate of porridge for the Nisse on Christmas Eve is a way of honoring the farm guardian. It is believed that the Nisse protects the home and livestock, and the porridge is an offering of gratitude. The girl placing porridge on the doorstep represents this folk tradition, and the Nisse's decision to share it with the fox transforms a single act of hospitality into a broader message of compassion.

  • christmas porridge
  • scandinavian tradition
  • nisse
  • hospitality
  • offering
Q6

Why doesn't the Nisse punish the fox for trying to steal the chickens?

The Nisse could easily drive Mickel away or use force, but he chooses understanding over punishment. He recognizes that the fox is motivated by hunger, not malice. Rather than escalating conflict, the Nisse offers a solution that respects both his duty to protect the chickens and the fox's need for sustenance. This gentle approach aligns with the story's theme that compassion resolves situations better than aggression.

Foreshadowing: The Nisse's initial interaction is firm but not cruel, setting the tone for his merciful response.

  • nisse
  • fox
  • punishment
  • stealing
  • compassion
  • forgiveness
Q7

What is the main message of The Tomten and the Fox?

The story delivers a gentle moral about how kindness and sharing can transform even desperate situations. When the Nisse responds to a potential thief with compassion instead of violence, he creates a chain reaction of goodwill. The fox, having experienced mercy, passes it on to the mice. The message suggests that small acts of generosity can change behavior and create connection, even between natural enemies.

  • moral
  • kindness
  • sharing
  • transformation
  • compassion
  • christmas
Q8

What is the fox's name in the story?

The fox is named Mickel, played by actor Dennis Storhøi. He is portrayed as a desperate, hungry creature whose journey through a cold Christmas Eve leads him from theft to kindness through the Nisse's gentle intervention.

  • mickel
  • fox
  • dennis storhøi
  • character name

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Tomten and the Fox, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Tomten and the Fox tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Gentle Seasonal Stories of Kindness like in The Tomten and the Fox

Whimsical tales where compassion and tradition overcome hardship. If you enjoyed the gentle compassion of The Tomten and the Fox, you'll love these movies. This list features other family-friendly films with a hopeful, seasonal vibe where kindness triumphs. Find more cozy stories about sharing and tradition.

  • gentle
  • whimsical
  • hopeful
  • peaceful
  • nostalgic
  • seasonal
  • Tone: light, whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: slow, peaceful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread typically revolve around a small, heartfelt conflict, often involving a character in need. The story unfolds slowly and peacefully, building towards a resolution achieved through empathy and selflessness rather than force, resulting in a happy and uplifting conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared gentle tone, low-intensity pacing, and focus on wholesome themes like compassion and community. They evoke a similar feeling of peaceful nostalgia and leave the viewer with a warm, hopeful outlook.

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The Tomten and the Fox

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Mid-August Lunch movie poster

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2010
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Pannaiyarum Padminiyum

2014
Gigi movie poster

Gigi

1949
Sargi movie poster

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2017

Quiet Fables of Human-Animal Bonds like in The Tomten and the Fox

Simple animated tales exploring the gentle connection between people and nature. Looking for more movies like The Tomten and the Fox? This collection features gentle animated fables that explore themes of compassion between humans and animals. Discover similar stories with straightforward narratives and a peaceful, hopeful mood.

  • gentle
  • whimsical
  • hopeful
  • peaceful
  • compassion
  • fable
  • Tone: light, whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories often begin with a potential conflict or misunderstanding between an animal and a human (or guardian figure). The plot develops through a quiet, character-driven interaction, leading to mutual understanding and a bond forged through an act of empathy or shared need.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific narrative pattern centered on human-animal relationships, a gentle and straightforward storytelling style, and a light emotional weight. They are united by their wholesome themes and their ability to convey simple, profound messages about nature and compassion.

Feast movie poster

Feast

2014
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse movie poster

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

2022
The Fox and the Hound 2 movie poster

The Fox and the Hound 2

2006
Bambi II movie poster

Bambi II

2006
A Sumo Wrestler’s Tail movie poster

A Sumo Wrestler’s Tail

2010
The Small One movie poster

The Small One

1978
Babe movie poster

Babe

1995
Little Golden Book Land movie poster

Little Golden Book Land

1989

Every angle

The Tomten and the Fox (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Tomten and the Fox in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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